Su16fx review
- Thread starter starkt
- Start date
Great review!
Well I was hopping for reviews specifically on the su16fx
So here goes my full review.
Once I opened the box and found a nice camo bag the gun came it looked like good quality
The bag was not flimsy and had very strong zippers.
Unfortunately one of the straps on the Bag had a clip that was not properly set but a little bend and it worked just fine.
I opened the bag and pulled the gun out nothing noticeably wrong with the gun but the action seemed a little stiff.
I tried the trace optics and found the glass very dark and the sight picture kinda cheap looking so off it came and in it's place went a acog.
The mag the gun came with is....ok it functional but not that appealing.
The stock is also functional and for what I paid will stay on the gun but could be nicer.
The forend is perfect for the gun , fits great , feels great and I am happy with it.
The sights are an afterthought and I will not be using them. I do like how the front sight looks.
The flash hider is great and works well.
The grip is like all kel tec guns and I like the feel it fits my hands.
I shot 200 rounds of American eagle.
It was a 3 moa at 100yards not benched just me shooting while resting the gun on the mag so not that bad.
The action was stiff but I did not lube this gun before I went so I attribute that for my trouble.
Once I got home I noticed one screw on the stock was loose and so was the flash hider
Well everything up to this point was what I expected but taking this gun apart and puting it back togeather
Was where I had trouble.
This is the tightest rifle to take apart and not user friendly.
I watched a you tube video on how to do it and this guy made it look slick but I had a hell of a time with it.
I am sure it will get better with use And I don't mind a rifle this tight anyways better than sloppy I guess.
So here goes my full review.
Once I opened the box and found a nice camo bag the gun came it looked like good quality
The bag was not flimsy and had very strong zippers.
Unfortunately one of the straps on the Bag had a clip that was not properly set but a little bend and it worked just fine.
I opened the bag and pulled the gun out nothing noticeably wrong with the gun but the action seemed a little stiff.
I tried the trace optics and found the glass very dark and the sight picture kinda cheap looking so off it came and in it's place went a acog.
The mag the gun came with is....ok it functional but not that appealing.
The stock is also functional and for what I paid will stay on the gun but could be nicer.
The forend is perfect for the gun , fits great , feels great and I am happy with it.
The sights are an afterthought and I will not be using them. I do like how the front sight looks.
The flash hider is great and works well.
The grip is like all kel tec guns and I like the feel it fits my hands.
I shot 200 rounds of American eagle.
It was a 3 moa at 100yards not benched just me shooting while resting the gun on the mag so not that bad.
The action was stiff but I did not lube this gun before I went so I attribute that for my trouble.
Once I got home I noticed one screw on the stock was loose and so was the flash hider
Well everything up to this point was what I expected but taking this gun apart and puting it back togeather
Was where I had trouble.
This is the tightest rifle to take apart and not user friendly.
I watched a you tube video on how to do it and this guy made it look slick but I had a hell of a time with it.
I am sure it will get better with use And I don't mind a rifle this tight anyways better than sloppy I guess.
I haven't gotten mine out the the range yet.
What I've done to it pre-range:
S&J Linear Comp on it
PEPR Mount with Bushnell AR 1x4 Scope
Lightweight UTG tactical Bipod (cheap but works)
GL-MAG– M4 Stock
Trigger pull seems mid weight, crisp break, okay reset
Just from handling and dry fire, screws to the buffer tube went loose, yikes.
I really wish the buffer tube and screws had 'more beef'
No easy bolt hold open, access is inside the magwell like the regular SU16
Low profile metal iron sights, I like these
I really like the light weight
Safety is 'meh' and wish it wasn't a cross bolt, it's stiff.
Take down and cleaning - REAL PITA - not that difficult but not what I consider 'nice' and hard to get in and around the receiver in my opinion. Not really easy to get oil in on the bolt or quick field cleaning. Little chamber access.
Build quality seems 'okay' nothing special, could be better.
Was it worth the money? Not sure yet really. If AR Restricted status changes like rumours, or gets loosened in some way - HELL NO - . My NEA and PSA are GREAT and CHEAPER!
That is all I have to say at the minute.
What I've done to it pre-range:
S&J Linear Comp on it
PEPR Mount with Bushnell AR 1x4 Scope
Lightweight UTG tactical Bipod (cheap but works)
GL-MAG– M4 Stock
Trigger pull seems mid weight, crisp break, okay reset
Just from handling and dry fire, screws to the buffer tube went loose, yikes.
I really wish the buffer tube and screws had 'more beef'
No easy bolt hold open, access is inside the magwell like the regular SU16
Low profile metal iron sights, I like these
I really like the light weight
Safety is 'meh' and wish it wasn't a cross bolt, it's stiff.
Take down and cleaning - REAL PITA - not that difficult but not what I consider 'nice' and hard to get in and around the receiver in my opinion. Not really easy to get oil in on the bolt or quick field cleaning. Little chamber access.
Build quality seems 'okay' nothing special, could be better.
Was it worth the money? Not sure yet really. If AR Restricted status changes like rumours, or gets loosened in some way - HELL NO - . My NEA and PSA are GREAT and CHEAPER!
That is all I have to say at the minute.
I don't own one but my buddy has one and I've spent a couple days shooting with him with it.
Accuracy? Nope. We tried 5 or 6 different types of factory ammo off all weights and nothing printed tighter than 4-5 inches at 100yds off of the bags.
It's a neat design and an ok rifle for the money but like buddy said after our range session "I've seen shotguns pattern better".
Cleaning is definitely a PITA, better to just shoot it all summer and winter then do a good cleaning every spring. Give it a little oil once in a while and forget about it.
Definitely no where near the build quality of my RFB or KSG (both sold) as well. Similar quality to the Sub2000 I sold a couple months ago. Hmmmm, the SU-16 is the only KelTec rifle I haven't owned.
Good luck with it and I'd love to see some evidence of that 3moa without a rest. Seems far from what I've seen them do. Maybe buddy's rifle has a problem or something.
Accuracy? Nope. We tried 5 or 6 different types of factory ammo off all weights and nothing printed tighter than 4-5 inches at 100yds off of the bags.
It's a neat design and an ok rifle for the money but like buddy said after our range session "I've seen shotguns pattern better".
Cleaning is definitely a PITA, better to just shoot it all summer and winter then do a good cleaning every spring. Give it a little oil once in a while and forget about it.
Definitely no where near the build quality of my RFB or KSG (both sold) as well. Similar quality to the Sub2000 I sold a couple months ago. Hmmmm, the SU-16 is the only KelTec rifle I haven't owned.
Good luck with it and I'd love to see some evidence of that 3moa without a rest. Seems far from what I've seen them do. Maybe buddy's rifle has a problem or something.
I agree the weight of this gun is great. The su16fx is only as good as are gun laws, change the restriction status of some other guns and this thing would not get a second look but that being said it is what it is.
It's not a bad option for someone looking for a ar looking rifle chambered in .223 that accepts some ar 15 aftermarket products,
Is light weight cheaper than the next best option an xcr and is non restricted.
It's not a bad option for someone looking for a ar looking rifle chambered in .223 that accepts some ar 15 aftermarket products,
Is light weight cheaper than the next best option an xcr and is non restricted.
That's both funny and sad at the same time. Do you think that Kel-Tec could/would improve the design/materials of the rifle in order to make it a better quality without sacrificing too much of it's appeal (relatively inexpensive, light weight NR .223 with a compatible rail system)? Or will they just leave it as is?
Kel tec will make products like they always have until someone takes them over and changes there buisness strategy.
The company is very innovative and they are great at exciting new products.
Some of there products could be made to higher standards but price would also rise so take the good with the bad.
I feel there guns fill a void in the market and they only compete against themselves.
If Anouther manufacture decided to take market share from kel tec or they wanted a military contract there build quality would reflect those changes.
Just enjoy what they bring to the table and realize you have a good chance of having some issue with there firearms but once it's sorted out they have a fun product line and that's why we keep buying hoping this time will be different lol.
The company is very innovative and they are great at exciting new products.
Some of there products could be made to higher standards but price would also rise so take the good with the bad.
I feel there guns fill a void in the market and they only compete against themselves.
If Anouther manufacture decided to take market share from kel tec or they wanted a military contract there build quality would reflect those changes.
Just enjoy what they bring to the table and realize you have a good chance of having some issue with there firearms but once it's sorted out they have a fun product line and that's why we keep buying hoping this time will be different lol.
The SU-16 and Sub2000 won't change without the price going up, they are designed to be simple and low cost. Don't buy one if you expect it to be your go-to battle rifle when the world ends. They are not battle rifles.
KelTec knows how to make quality firearms as shown by the RFB and KSG, I've owned both of those and had no issues at all with either. Both were reliable and well built with quality steel where it was needed and polymer where weight could be saved without sacrificing reliability or strength.
If you want something that's built better than the SU-16 then buy a different rifle. It is what it is and provides a neat rifle for a guy on a budget.
Quality costs money and I really don't think anyone is going to pay $1500+ for one of these just because they give it a little better barrel.
I have an SU16FX and an SU16F. I like them both. They're lightweight, fun to shoot and hassle free to own. If AR's weren't restricted I probably wouldn't own them, but I also don't have a unicorn.
The SU16FX package is eye candy heavy. The bag it came with is strong enough, no issues with zippers etc and it includes 5 or 6 pockets for magazine storage, which is nice.
The rifle itself feels a lot more solid than the SU16F model. The weight is good, and the fore end is really solid. The buffer tube on mine is fine, but I find the extension release a little finicky. It has to be squeezed just right to position the butt stock.
The sight that comes with the rifle looks good, but that's about it. The sight picture is dark, the reticle washes out in bright light, the battery enclosure handle works itself open while shooting (and the batteries fall out!)
The accuracy of the rifle is about what I expect 3 or 4 MOA, my skills aren't wonderful so maybe it could do better. I can't find a usable bolt hold-open, although it does hold open when the magazine is empty.
That all seems a little bad, but I do like the rifle. It always makes me grin when I pull it out. LAR magazines and Beowolf magazines work well. It fires all the time, I've had no feeding or FTF issues; accuracy is good enough. The barrel does get pretty hot with mag dumps, probably normal.
The bonus of this firearm is that it is NR and light enough to carry in the woods with little effort (the SU16F model even more so.) I can strap it onto the side of my backpack and take it with me no worries.
I like mine and enjoy shooting both models.
Hope this helps.
The SU16FX package is eye candy heavy. The bag it came with is strong enough, no issues with zippers etc and it includes 5 or 6 pockets for magazine storage, which is nice.
The rifle itself feels a lot more solid than the SU16F model. The weight is good, and the fore end is really solid. The buffer tube on mine is fine, but I find the extension release a little finicky. It has to be squeezed just right to position the butt stock.
The sight that comes with the rifle looks good, but that's about it. The sight picture is dark, the reticle washes out in bright light, the battery enclosure handle works itself open while shooting (and the batteries fall out!)
The accuracy of the rifle is about what I expect 3 or 4 MOA, my skills aren't wonderful so maybe it could do better. I can't find a usable bolt hold-open, although it does hold open when the magazine is empty.
That all seems a little bad, but I do like the rifle. It always makes me grin when I pull it out. LAR magazines and Beowolf magazines work well. It fires all the time, I've had no feeding or FTF issues; accuracy is good enough. The barrel does get pretty hot with mag dumps, probably normal.
The bonus of this firearm is that it is NR and light enough to carry in the woods with little effort (the SU16F model even more so.) I can strap it onto the side of my backpack and take it with me no worries.
I like mine and enjoy shooting both models.
Hope this helps.
You can make your own bolt hold open and bolt release. Google it.
I made one for my Su16 and with a press of the trigger finger i can release the bolt after a mag change. I can also use it to lock open the action.
Similar to this...but mine is angled up so its closer to the trigger finger. Its also on the other side as i'm a lefty
I can only talk about the SU16, not the FX, but i like it. It and the Sub2000 have been my go-to fun guns when going Crown Land shooting. The SKS, the shotgun, the bolt action 223 etc havent moved in a few months. No issues, no FTF, FTE etc. 8" gong at 200 yards no problemos!
I made one for my Su16 and with a press of the trigger finger i can release the bolt after a mag change. I can also use it to lock open the action.
Similar to this...but mine is angled up so its closer to the trigger finger. Its also on the other side as i'm a lefty
I can only talk about the SU16, not the FX, but i like it. It and the Sub2000 have been my go-to fun guns when going Crown Land shooting. The SKS, the shotgun, the bolt action 223 etc havent moved in a few months. No issues, no FTF, FTE etc. 8" gong at 200 yards no problemos!
C,mon now Zeuce, you're comparing a $2700 gun to a $1350 gun. They both shoot 3 moa. I have a lot of rnds through my su and not one problem yet , I know there have been a few issues with them but look at how many of them are out there. A lot more than the xcr I bet. You should be comparing your xcr to the ACR, they are a more comparable price.thanx for the reviews guys. glad I dropped my preorder and grabbed a XCR instead.
